The rise in meat prices, which in the case of the main cuts is close to 20%, puts pressure on the cost of living in January but especially in February, warn specialists.
The conclusion is reached by comparing two surveys. First made in the third week of Januaryrevealed that the average price of a basket of 8 medium/high quality cuts in Argentina was $1,780 per kiloan average price 11.4% lower than Brazil.
The second surveymade the first week of februaryindicated that that price had increased to $2,267 per kilogramrepresenting an increase of 27.3%, an average price 11.4% higher than Brazil.
The report, which corresponds to a work by the Mediterranean Foundation, indicated that “a price check was carried out in Brazil during the first week of February, to prevent that prices have also increased in that country, but that was not the case observing stable values.
COMPARISON WITH URUGUAY AND CHILE
Between Uruguay and Argentinaare included 12 cuts of bovine meat at the final consumer level (the same for both countries). In December 2022, the average price of this basket of cuts was US$ 9.06 per kilo in Uruguay and of US$ 6.69 per kilo in Argentina, 26% cheaper.
In the comparative case between Chile and Argentinawere included 13 cuts of meat (similar for both countries) and it was observed that, in December 2022, the average price of this basket in the trans-Andean country was US$11.98, while in Argentina it was US$7.89.
After the increase, the study indicated that it is not It is not clear if the price adjustment for livestock and meat will continue in the country in the coming weeks., given that it depends on the consumer’s response to the new values and how exports respond to a business that sees its margins reduced. How farm producers adapt to the new scenario will also be key.
